Canopy Leg Hold Down Plate

ABSTRACT

A plastic canopy leg anchor device is used with a portable collapsible canopy unit. It encloses a canopy frame leg and covers the canopy leg welded attached footplate, and, by ground pegging through the device and/or placing weight on the device, provides wind stabilization for the canopy unit. The device can be molded into various decorative shapes for attractiveness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portable collapsible canopy units. Specifically, this invention relates to a canopy leg hold down plate.

Portable collapsible canopy units provide outdoor sun protection and weather shelter for people and their belongings at picnics, fairs, campgrounds, markets and other gatherings. Windy conditions require canopy units be anchored to the existing pavement or ground for general safety. and to reduce legal liability in case a canopy unit becomes airborne. Canopy unit manufacturers furnish metal pegs and tie-down cords for anchorage. Other methods of anchoring canopy units include plastic coated concrete, cast iron and sand bag leg weights. These weights are heavy and difficult to transport. Water filled bucket leg weights are also available for anchoring canopy units. These require the canopy support legs be elevated to the top of the buckets, which is unsightly, raises the canopy unit's height and center of gravity. Also, there is a canopy anchor pad system. This system requires bolting or hook strapping steel plates with attached pads to the canopy support legs and applying secondary weights on top of the plates and pads. This system's placement and displacement is more time intensive than the present invention, and requires a safety flap to cover the bolt attachment which the present invention does not.

Therefore, the principle objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that effectively anchors the canopy unit.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that facilitates placement and displacement time of the canopy unit anchor system.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that facilitates decorative styling of the canopy unit anchor system.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that is a recyclable plastic material canopy unit anchor system.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that increases safety of the canopy unit anchor system.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that increases safety at outdoor events.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that decreases legal liability at outdoor events.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that is a cost effective canopy unit anchor system.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that facilitates transporting of the canopy unit anchor system.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that facilitates storage of the canopy unit anchor system.

Lastly, another objective of the present invention is to provide a canopy unit anchoring system that offers a combination of weighting and pegging of the canopy unit anchor system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The canopy leg hold down plate system includes a molded plastic plate which pivotally completely encloses each canopy support leg and completely covers each leg's welded attached footplate by use of either a locking block swing gate or locking block slide gate. Secondary weight may be placed on the top patterned area and optional grounding pegs may be driven through the plate's bored holes, thereby either individually or in combination, anchor the canopy unit to any surface. The plate may be molded into various decorative shapes, viz; foot and/or paw.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is shown on sheet numbered 1-9 as a front page perspective view of a portable collapsible canopy unit with a canopy leg hold down device with optional secondary weight on each support leg; and

FIG. 2 is shown on sheets numbered 2-9, 3-9, 4-9, 5-9 as plan view top, plan view bottom, elevation view and perspective view, respectively, of the canopy leg hold down device with a locking block swing gate; and

FIG. 3 is shown on sheets numbered 6-9, 7-9, 8-9, 9-9 as plan view top, plan view bottom, elevation view and perspective view, respectively, of the canopy leg hold down device with a locking block slide gate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows in general a portable collapsible canopy unit 10 that includes a fabric canopy 11 which is supported by a collapsible metal frame 12. The collapsible metal frame 12 has multiple support legs 13, each with a welded attached leg footplate 15. These canopy units are designed for quick and easy placement and displacement, are lightweight to transport and conveniently stored. Removable and enclosing each support leg 13 and covering each welded attached leg footplate 15 is a canopy leg hold down device 14 which provides anchorage force to the existing pavement or ground 9. Secondary weight 16 may be placed on each canopy leg hold down device 14.

FIG. 2 shows in detail a canopy leg hold down device 14 made of molded plastic material and comprises a top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23, both having a molded plastic diamond tread pattern 26 to prevent lateral movement of the secondary weight 16 and to prevent lateral movement against the existing pavement or ground 9.

The canopy leg hold down device 14 has a leg insertion channel 17 to provide for the insertion of a support leg 13, and a channel terminus hole 18 to partially enclose the support leg 13 and partially cover the welded attached footplate 15. The canopy leg hold down device 14 has a locking block suing gate 20 within a molded recessed area 24 on the bottom patterned area 23. The locking block swing gate 20 is attached by, and pivots on, a plastic or metal rivet 10 to allow for open and close positioning. In the open position, the locking block swing gate 20 is turned parallel to the leg insertion channel 17. The locking block swing gate 20 is turned perpendicular to the leg insertion channel 17 to its closed position. Closing allows the locking block swing gate 20 to completely enclose the support leg 13 and completely cover the welded attached footplate 15.

The canopy leg hold down device 14 has several bored holes 21 through the top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23 to provide pegging anchorage to the existing ground 9. The top patterned area 22 is of size and shape to accept a plurality of secondary weights 16.

The canopy leg hold down device may be molded into various decorative shapes different from the shape presented, viz: foot and/or paw.

In practice, when the canopy unit 10 is erected, an individual or individuals place one canopy leg hold down device 14 on each support leg 13 in accordance with the following procedures: The locking block swing gate 20 is turned parallel to the leg insertion channel 17 for open positioning. The support leg 13 is inserted into the leg insertion channel 17 and moved to the channel terminus hole 18. The locking block swing gate 20 is turned perpendicular to the leg insertion channel 17 to the closed position. This fully encloses the support leg 13 and fully covers the welded attached footplate 15.

The canopy leg hold down device 14 is placed upon the existing pavement or ground 9, pivotally about the support leg 13. Secondary weight 16 may be placed on the top patterned area 22 to provide anchorage force to the bottom patterned area 23. Ground anchorage may be achieved by pegging through the bored holes 21. A combination of placing secondary weight 16 and pegging through the bored holes 21 may be employed to anchor the canopy unit to the existing pavement or ground 9.

FIG. 3 shows in detail a canopy leg hold down device 14 made of molded plastic material and comprises a top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23, both having a molded plastic diamond tread pattern 26 to prevent lateral movement of the secondary weight 16 and to prevent lateral movement against the existing pavement or ground 9.

The canopy leg hold down device 14 has a lea insertion channel 17 to provide for the insertion of a support leg 13 and a channel terminus hole 18 to partially enclose the support leg 13 and partially cover the welded attached footplate 15. The canopy leg hold down device 14 has a separate locking block slide gate 25. The locking block slide gate 25 partially slides over the top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23 the length of the leg insertion channel 17 to allow for open and close positioning. Completely sliding the locking block slide gate 25 off of the canopy leg hold down device 14 allows for open positioning. In the closed position, the locking block slide gate 25 tits into the leg insertion channel 17 and partially covers the top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23. Closing the locking block slide gate 25 completely encloses the support leg 13 and completely covers the welded attached footplate 15.

The canopy leg hold down device 14 has several bored holes 21 through the top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23 to provide for pegging anchorage to the existing ground 9. The top patterned area 22 is of size and shape to accept a plurality of secondary weights 16.

The canopy leg hold down device may be molded into various decorative shapes different from the shape presented, viz: foot and/or paw

In practice, when the canopy unit 10 is erected, an individual or individuals, place one canopy leg hold down device 14 on each support leg 13 in accordance with the following procedures: The locking block slide gate 25 is slid completely off the canopy leg hold down device 14 for open positioning. The support leg 13 is inserted into the leg insertion channel 17 and moved to the channel terminus hole 18. The locking block slide gate 25 is aligned with the open end of the leg insertion channel 17 and slid over the top patterned area 22 and bottom patterned area 23 to the channel terminus hole 18 to its closed position. This fully encloses the support leg 13 and fully covers the welded attached footplate 15.

The canopy leg, hold down device 14 is placed upon the existing pavement or ground 9, pivotally about the support leg 13. Secondary weight 16 may be placed on the top patterned area 22 to provide anchorage force to the bottom patterned area 23. Ground anchorage may be achieved by pegging through the bored holes 21. A combination of placing secondary weight 16 and pegging through the bored holes 21 may be employed to anchor the canopy unit to the existing pavement or ground 9. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A canopy leg hold down plate system comprising: a portable collapsible canopy unit supported by multiple metal support legs each having a welded attached footplate; a leg insertion channel and channel terminus hole; a locking block swing gate or locking block slide gate; bored holes for ground anchorage; a top patterned area for optional secondary weight anchorage force; and a bottom patterned area for surface friction adhesion.
 2. The system in claim 1 wherein is enclosing each support leg.
 3. The system in claim 1 is covering each welded attached footplate.
 4. The system in claim 1 wherein is placed pivotally around each support leg.
 5. The system in claim 1 wherein is made of recyclable plastic material.
 6. The system in claim 1 wherein is molded into various decorative shapes, viz: foot and/or paw.
 7. The system in claim 1 wherein is diamond tread pattern molded plastic on the top patterned area.
 8. The system in claim 1 wherein is diamond tread pattern molded plastic on the bottom patterned area.
 9. The system in claim 1 wherein the secondary weight is of various sizes.
 10. The system in claim 1 wherein the secondary weight is of various densities.
 11. The system in claim 1 wherein the secondary weight is of various decorative shapes.
 12. The system in claim 1 wherein is optionally ground anchored by pegging though the bored holes.
 13. The system in claim 1 wherein is ground anchored by a combination of pegging though the bored holes and applying secondary weights. 